On Monday, the VA reported that the disability compensation claims backlog decreased by more than 5,400, while the total number of pending claims decreased by more than 7,600. However, there are still almost 171,000 veterans in the backlog, meaning they have been waiting more than 125 days for a VA claim decision. Overall, there are almost 441,000 veterans with pending VA claims.

To eliminate the VA backlog by the end of FY 2015, the VA must reduce the number of backlogged claims by about 4,100 per week. Since March of 2013, the backlog has been reduced by 73%, with about 4,200 claims processed weekly.

Our nation’s veterans should not have to wait endlessly for access to the benefits and healthcare they have earned through service. To bring light to these issues and help veterans share their stories, IAVA launched The Wait We Carry, a website highlighting some of the health and healthcare challenges veterans are facing. More than 1,800 veterans have shared their stories with us already, detailing experiences with VA and private healthcare and appointment wait times. If you are an IAVA member and would like to share your story as well, please click here. If you are not yet an IAVA member, click here to join.